Branding-iron.



J. M. BASKETT.

mwnmqmow. APPLICATION FILED MAY23.1916- 1 (1,93%, Patented Mar. 27, 1917.

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BRANDING-IRON.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 27, 1917.

Application filed May 23, 1916. Serial No.99,343.

Z '0 all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, Janus M. Basnn'r'r, a citizen of the United States, residing at Eudora, in the county of Chicot, State of Arkansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Branding Irons; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the in vention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to branding irons, such as are used for branding cattle and other stock.

The purpose of my invention, generally is to provide an improved form of branding iron, which will consist of a base portion or body to which various combinations of letters may be interchangeably attached. Those branding irons which are known to me are constructed in a single piece or are made in more or less complicated form, so that the cost of manufacture is comparatively greater than that of my new structure. Following out the foregoing object 1 construct first a suitable base plate which forms a backing for the specially constructed characters which make up the brand-mark. Said characters are made of suitable forged or malleable metal and are provided with offsets or lugs by means of which they may be attached to the base plate. The offsets or lugs may be disposed in such similar arrangement on the different letters, numerals or characters which go to make up the set of interchangeable devices, that the branding surfaces may be renewed or altered in a short time and at small expense.

The accompanying drawings embody one form of my invention in which is carried out the above defined object, and such other objects as will appear from the following description.

In said drawings Figure 1 is a side elevation of my improved construction,

Fig. 2 is a bottom view,

Fig. 3 is a section on line 33 of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 4: is a plan view of one of the characters which may be used in connection with my improved device.

Referring more particularly to said drawings 1 denotes a base plate or backing, which is preferably formed of forged or malleable metal. Said base plate 1 is provided on its upper face either as an integral element or as an attached part, with a substantially U- shaped yoke 2. At the apex formed by the juncture of the arms of the yoke 2, the latter is provided with a vertically threaded opening or socket 3, in which is screwed a suitable handle rod 4, which may be of cast metal, wood or any other suitable material which is cheaper than the material forming the yoke 2 and the base plate 1. For the sake of economy and the saving in weight which will be occasioned thereby, the central portion of the base plate 1 may be longitudinally slotted or recessed, as at 5.

The lower face of the base plate 1 is suitably surfaced in order to provide a fiat face upon which the characters 6 are mounted. The characters 6 may assume the form of letters, numbers, special geometrical figures, or other characters. These elements 6 are also preferably formed of malleable metal, and terminate at their free edges in suitable branding surfaces. Said characters 6 are formed of bodies which outline the numeral, letter or other designation, the bodies being in effect, vertical flanges, formed at their bases of suitable thickness to provide a substantial support, and tapering toward their opposite edges to the width which will constitute a perfect branding surface. At suitable points, the characters are provided with horizontally projecting lugs or offsets 7, by means of which the characters are secured to the base plate 1. Said lugs or offsets 7 are apertured to receive the rivets, bolts or screws as designated at 8, the latter also pass ing through the base plate 1 to rigidly engage the characters therewith. The sets of apertures in the plate 1, and the lugs 7 on all of the characters may be so relatively disposed that any character may be substituted for another by merely removing the bolts or rivets, and replacing the old character with a new one by setting new rivets or the same bolts, in the lugs and through the same apertures. The combination of elements above described constitutes an improved device in this art, which, as stated primarily is an economical article of manufacture, and an improvement which stockmen will find of practical advantage both from the standpoint of economy and use.

What is claimed is vided with lugs for securing the bodies to A branding iron comprising in combinasaid base plate. 19 tion of a base plate, a yoke-like support ris- In testimony whereof, I aflix my signaing from said base plate, and having its arms ture, in the presence of two witnesses.

5 extendedto the ends of said base plate, and JAMES M. BASKETT.

interchangeable characters removably fas- Witnesses: tened to the bottom of said base plate, said M. CASHION, characters comprising flange-like bodies pro- B. M. LAMAR.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

